Top 10 Architecture Colleges

In todays educational system it is very hard to say what the best Architecture programs, and schools maybe. There are so many to choose from, in so many different places. Some are over seas, some local, some in other states. Each individual student has to choose what college suits them best. Your personality, learning style, academics, and non academics, and what you may be interested in play a big role in this decision. It's always best to research, and look into which one seems right for you.

You have many considerations to make before choosing a college. For instance, What is the teacher student ratio? Are there going to be enough teachers to give each student individual help if needed? Is the college convenient to get to? Transportation, such as a bus, car, bicycle? You have to consider majorly your choice on how to finance and pay for college. There are student loans, unsubsidized and subsidized, the pel grant, many scholarships, and government grants available to help students pay. Some students even prefer if their college is in a rural or suburban area. Most times it is about where the student comes from. Then you have the non- academic programs, such as sports, band, color guard, step team, etc.. It helps to know the most about each college, so you know if it fits your needs, and your learning style, because not everyone learns the same way.

While you are in school you have options to where you may live, either off campus or on campus. Its a great idea to compare all options. Include the estimated rent if you live off campus, in the area you are going to be in school.Then compare this to the estimated money you would spend to live on campus in the dorms. Take tours of the dorm rooms to see if they are acceptable under your standards. Also, If you wish to work during or after college, ask about job placement while you are speaking with various schools and couselors. Not all provide job placement, and it can be very difficult to get your foot in the door so to speak right out of college on your own.

You should also look into the percentages of students in the alumni, and graduating classes, that have graduated from the architecture program. Is it higher at one school, compared to the others? What are the ages of the graduating classes? Is there a minority and majority that graduate from this program? Also what type of internships are available for this type of major? Are there more in some cities compared to others? Do any of them seem to be traveling positions? These are all things to consider when looking at what architecture program and school is best fit for you and your needs, as a student and part of the next generation.

Did you know…

According to US News and World Reports the following are the top 2010 national schools offering art majors

1. Yale University – New Haven, CT
2. University of Chicago – Chicago, IL
3. Northwestern University – Evanston, IL
4. Brown University – Providence, RI
5. Rice University – Houston, TX
6. Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN
7. University of California Berkeley – Berkeley, CA
8. Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA
9. Georgetown University, Washington, DC
10. University of California Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA